Endodontics

Cracked Teeth

Whether your tooth cracks from an injury or general wear and tear, you can experience a variety of symptoms ranging from erratic pain when you chew your food to sudden pain when your tooth is exposed to very hot or cold temperatures. There are many different types of cracked teeth. The treatment and outcome for your tooth depend on the type, location, and extent of the crack. The sooner your tooth is treated, the better the outcome. Once treated most cracked teeth continue to function as they should, for many years of pain-free biting and chewing.

Oral Trauma

Traumatic dental injuries often occur in accidents or sports-related injuries. Chipped teeth account for the majority of all dental injuries. However, dislodged teeth, knocked-out teeth, and root fractures are all considered traumatic injuries. No matter your dental injury, you should see a dentist or endodontist immediately. Endodontists specialize in oral trauma and are often able to save injured teeth.

Pulpotomy

Underneath the exterior of a tooth is a pocket filled with nerves, blood vessels, and connective tissue. This is known as the “pulp” of the tooth. When a tooth has a bad cavity, the pulp of the tooth is exposed. This can be very painful because the sensitive nerves and tissue are vulnerable. If your child is complaining of a toothache, it might be because he or she has a large cavity. In this case, we’ll do a pulpotomy to remove the damaged pulp. A pulpotomy is a fairly common procedure for decayed baby molars.

During a pulpotomy, we first remove damaged tissue, sterilize the area, and then replace the pulp with a medicated filling. Sometimes, it is then necessary to place a crown to restore the structure and appearance of the tooth. A pulpotomy is usually very successful in saving a badly decayed baby molar.

Cavities that affect the pulp of the tooth can be quite painful. If your child is experiencing severe tooth pain, he or she may need a pulpotomy. Call Smile Design Dental Center at 309-689-0746 to schedule an appointment.

Root Canal Therapy

According to the American Association of Endodontists, root canal therapy is the most feared dental procedure.

Despite this stigma, root canal therapy is actually a pain-free, quick and relatively comfortable procedure. In fact, it relieves your pain and can prevent more complicated oral issues down the road. Here at Smile Design Dental Center, we can put your fears at ease.

Smile Design Dental Center

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Smile Design Dental Center welcomes patients with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to receive dental services, we would be happy to provide one. Please contact us at 309-689-0746 to let us know how we may be of assistance.